This feature allows you to automatically set a particular Dot Gain curve on layers depending on what layers are visible in your design.  This is intended to help simulate the effect of ink rejection that can happen in the analogue printing process.  For example, the first layer printed may have a virtually straight Dot Gain curve, but as there is now ink on the paper the second layer printed might print lighter than it would if it were the first layer, so the Dot Gain curve would be slightly reduced to reflect this. The third layer maybe even lighter as there is now even more ink on the paper.  

You could manually set the same curve on the individual layers to get the same result, but if you did it this way the curve would not shift when you make some layers invisible i.e print the design without layer 2 out of 4 for example.

This feature is probably most useful if you print all over texture type designs such as woodgrains or stone textures for example.  For this feature, the Dot Gain curves are set manually and the amount of reduction set would be done visually or for from experience, it's not simple to measure data to help work out how your curve should look.

The Alternative dot gain ate set using a Palette.   See below instructions on how to setup and edit your curves or take a look at the movie on this feature.

1. Go to File Menu in AVA  > New > Palette or open an existing Palette to add to.
2. Go to AVA  > Menu > Settings > Dot Gain.
3. Tick the option Use Alternative dot gains.
4. Drag the Handler from the top right corner of the Dot Gain Settings Window to the Palette.
5. Hold down ⌥ (option key) on the keyboard and click on the newly created button in the Palette to reveal its settings. You can name the button from this window.
6. Click on the spanner icon and edit your individual dot dains curves, number 1 corresponding to the first visible layer in the Layers Palette and so on.
7. Click Play on the Palette to apply the settings.

Available in AVA 5.9 - A new way to create Palettes

For more information on these changes please click here‍. 

1. Go to File Menu in AVA  > New > Palette or open an existing Palette to add to.
2. Go to AVA  > Menu > Settings > Dot Gain.
3. Tick the option Use Alternative dot gains.
4. Drag the Handler from the top right corner of the Dot Gain Settings Window to the Palette.
5. Click the Icon to open the Settings for the action
6. Set your curves as required
   
7. Click Play on the Palette to apply the settings.